All About Pocket Knives

ive had just a few of each, i know a few things like shields are glued in now vrs. pined in, handles use to be a lot prettier, etc.... if were talking CV blades, would the 60,s 70,s be better steel, or would a new one with CV be prety good for every day use as far as holding a edge good ? i guess liners are brass now as oposed to steel or whatever they were then , just thought id see what you guys in the know have found to be the differances in them, thanks...........

Well? I'm prejudiced. I got soured on Case when they started putting dots on the blades. I don't think the new yellow scales dissolve like the older scales did. ( at least I hope they've cured THAT issue)

I own four older Case knives. One "W.R. Case & Son" from the first part of the twentieth century. One from the "tested" era. One from the "XX" era and one from the "XX USA". As far as steel goes, the newer knives are probably better. The newer knives don't seem to have the "feel" that old knives ( Neither do the Zippo lighter either ) had.

I think Case is a name only compared to the "old days". Their market is aimed at the collector and that is the direction they had to go to stay afloat. I'm glad they are still made in the USA. I just wish they built a "using" knife that felt as good as the older stuff.

i wish they offered more bone color choices in the CV, i wonder if they would install a pocket worn handle of your color choice if you sent them a cv yellow knife ? id glady pay for that.

I think the older ones certainly look better. I've been looking more than buying at the Case line for a year now. I even joined "the club", but lately have come to the conclusion that I just can't get enthused. Quality wise - well...they could do better really.

Owd Wullie wrote:Well? I'm prejudiced. I got soured on Case when they started putting dots on the blades. I don't think the new yellow scales dissolve like the older scales did. ( at least I hope they've cured THAT issue)

I own four older Case knives. One "W.R. Case & Son" from the first part of the twentieth century. One from the "tested" era. One from the "XX" era and one from the "XX USA". As far as steel goes, the newer knives are probably better. The newer knives don't seem to have the "feel" that old knives ( Neither do the Zippo lighter either ) had.

I think Case is a name only compared to the "old days". Their market is aimed at the collector and that is the direction they had to go to stay afloat. I'm glad they are still made in the USA. I just wish they built a "using" knife that felt as good as the older stuff.

I'm with you Wullie. I find that the newer knives are better in that they take and hold an edge better than the old, they just don't have that MOJO about them. I bought and carry a Case Pocket Worn and get about the best of both worlds. You are also correct about the Zippos. I have several hundred Zippos both old, oldest is 1942, and new, and the quality is different. I'm still a smoker, we're a dying breed, and I carry and use a 1949 Zippo.

I have a few old cases from my Dad and grandfather. The big difference I notice is the older cases are not overly polished and therefore the lines of the knife seem more clean the workmanship is easily visible. Also scale bolster fit tolerance seems a lot better

I am not a Case collector. Like most collectors I have a few old Case knives including some I carry from time to time. They are outstanding, first-rate knives.

Like many collectors I have certain blades and patterns that I like and prefer to carry. One of these is the Wharncliffe blade. My primary intrest in Wharncliffe blades is as a user. I use them daily for chores around the shop while working on other knives. Such chores include cutting wood, cutting up cardboard, opening packages, shaving bone, and general utility cutting.

Earlier this year I traded for a Case Seahorse Whittler because of the stout Wharncliffe blade they have that knife. I was very impressed with the quality of the knife. The fit & finish is very good and the walk & talk are excellent.

A few months ago I bought a Case Sway Back Jack with CV blades. It has far exceeded my expectations and has become one of my all time favorite knives to carry in to use.

Last week I got two new Case knives in the mail. One was a Wharncliffe trapper and the other was a Wharncliffe mini trapper. Both have bone handles and stainless steel blades. I must admit that both knives had good fit and finish and the stainless steel blades have held an edge far better than I anticipated. Neither knife was as sharp as I would have liked, so I had to polish the edge with my Pow’r Strop. In a couple of passes they were exceptionally sharp. I thought the price that I paid for these knives was very reasonable; $39 for the mini trapper and $34.50 for the trapper. Both prices include shipping.

If Case continues to make such good quality knives that I can purchase (both were purchased on eBay) that such reasonable prices, I may become a big fan. While I already have several knife brands that I collect, I do not anticipate becoming a collector of Case Knives in general. I may however begin collecting their Wharncliffe blades.

Knives are first and foremost tools. The number one criterion I have for collecting is that the knife must be functional. I may make an exception in the case of historical knives, but I do require that the knife when made be a functional tool. While I prefer knives with carbon steel blades, I have found that the stainless steel in the Case knives I have is decent quality steel that exceeds my expectations for its edge holding ability. All the Case Wharncliffe knives I have acquired recently have been very functional tools. All of them therefore meet my minimum requirements for a collectible knife.

If Case continues to impress me with its quality, fit and finish, walk and talk, and overall workmanship, I could see myself collecting some Case knives in addition to those that I have for users.

As a knife user, I have been very satisfied with the quality of the Case knives I have purchased recently.

Dale